National Strategic Communications Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women merges and builds on the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. In Georgia, UN Women supports state and non-state partners to achieve substantive gender equality, focusing on policy, legislation, institutions, and grassroots initiatives.

Job Overview:
The National Strategic Communications Consultant will provide technical expertise to develop a Strategic Communications Framework aimed at countering anti-gender narratives and strengthening positive narratives on gender equality, women's rights, and women's leadership in Georgia. This role is crucial in the context of increasing anti-gender sentiments and the need for effective communication strategies to promote gender equality. The consultant will build on findings from UN Women’s recent study on anti-gender discourse in Georgia, facilitating a participatory process to identify communication challenges, audiences, and develop context-sensitive responses. The expected output is a comprehensive Strategic Communications Framework that includes key messages, audience considerations, communication approaches, and risk assessments.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a desk review of relevant research, reports, and communication materials, including UN Women’s recent Study on Anti-gender Discourse in Georgia, to identify key narratives, communication challenges, audiences, and opportunities.
• Participate in consultations with stakeholders, including women’s organizations, to gather insights and agree on priority communication challenges and objectives.
• Identify and segment priority audiences, assessing their perceptions, information needs, and communication preferences.
• Develop strategic narratives, key messages, and counter-messages on gender equality, along with recommended communication approaches and channels.
• Identify communication risks and potential backlash associated with proposed narratives and develop mitigation measures.
• Test proposed narratives and messages with selected audiences to assess clarity and relevance, refining them based on feedback.
• Develop a Strategic Communications Framework that consolidates findings and provides practical guidance on communication objectives, target audiences, narratives, and channels.
• Create a campaign concept that translates tested narratives into practical communication initiatives, including objectives, target audiences, messaging, formats, and channels.
• Present the draft Strategic Communications Framework and campaign concept for validation and incorporate feedback into final deliverables.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, Strategic Communications, Media Studies, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field. A bachelor’s degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in strategic communications, public communication, advocacy, media, or campaign development (seven years with a bachelor’s degree).
• Demonstrated experience in developing communication strategies, narratives, and campaigns.
• Experience working on gender equality, women’s rights, or related social issues is a strong asset.
• Experience collaborating with civil society organizations, media, development partners, or international organizations is beneficial.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Communications, Strategic Communications, Media Studies, Public Relations, or Marketing. Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant professional experience in strategic communications, public communication, advocacy, media, or campaign development, with seven years required if only a bachelor’s degree is held. Candidates should have a proven track record in developing communication strategies and campaigns, particularly in the context of gender equality and women’s rights.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Georgian is required for this position, ensuring effective communication with diverse stakeholders and audiences.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, meaning no travel is necessary. The consultant will report to the WLD Project Analyst and WLD Programme Specialist, with support from the WLD Project Assistant for contract and payment issues. The payment schedule is structured around deliverables, with specific percentages allocated to each phase of the project. The role emphasizes core values such as integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, alongside competencies in gender sensitivity, accountability, and effective communication.